MLB.com's Greg Johns blogs about the Mariners. You can also follow him on Twitter @gregjohnsmlb.

Erasmo Ramirez gets his shot tonight in Toronto

Erasmo Ramirez makes his return to the mound tonight in Toronto, getting the call for the first time since his September recall. The 22-year-old rookie will likely get a couple starts here in the final three weeks to show where he’s at, so this is an important audition for the youngster.

Ramirez, if you recall, was pitching relatively well for the Mariners after his insertion into the rotation in June, but had yet to pick up his first win when he felt some soreness in his elbow in his fourth start. That led to a rehab stint and eventual return to Tacoma.

But he’s back now and gunning for that first victory against a Toronto team on a four-game win streak and with right-hander Brandon Morrow on the mound. Morrow has been extremely tough on his former team in the past, so Ramirez will need a little offensive help tonight.

Eric Thames, making his first return to Toronto since being traded to the Mariners for Steve Delabar on July 30, will get the start in right field tonight. He’s a career .277 hitter with 11 home runs in 77 at-bats at Rogers Centre, including a home run off Tom Wilhelmsen earlier this season, so maybe he can provide a nice storyline tonight.

They’ve just rolled the roof open here at Rogers Centre and it’s a beautiful, sunny afternoon in Toronto. So should be a nice evening, with first pitch at 4:07 p.m. PT.

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